President Benigno Aquino III has previously said
that the BBL will be submitted to Congress to be enacted into law after he
delivers his State of the Nation Address on July 28.

Coloma added that Bangsamoro Transtition Council
(BTC) held a meeting last week to finalize the BBL before it is submitted to
Congress for ratification.

Present during the meeting were the members of
the Philippine panel headed by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Senen Bacani, Secretary
Yasmin Busran-Lao of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and Secretary
Teresita Quintos-Deles, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Coloma
recounted.

The Communication Secretary said the President
reminded both the Philippine Panel and the representative of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front to work together and within the framework of the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“Ayon sa Pangulo, ‘let’s approach this drafting
of the proposed BBL with an open mind…everything is consistent with the CAB,
and limit the potential challenges.’ Dagdag pa niya, ‘let us put ourselves in
each other’s shoes. Mula sa ‘kayo’ at ‘kami’, ibalik natin sa ‘tayo’,” said
Coloma quoting the President.

On March 27, the CAB was signed in Malacanang,
this ended the decades-long conflict that has claimed the lives of hundreds of
people in Mindanao. PND (ag)

Government is ready for the 100 millionth
Filipino

Malacanang said on Sunday that the government is
ready for continuing population growth, as the country reached the 100 million
mark.

Presidential Communication Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said United National Fund for Population
Activities (UNFPA) confirmed that the Philippine population has reached the 100
million mark.

When asked during the press briefing on Sunday,
if the government is ready for the growing population, Coloma said that is what
the Philippine Development Plan is for.

He said the government is improving the
educational system with better curriculum to prepare the future generation.

In a statement Klaus Beck, country
representative of UNFPA to the Philippines, said: “the 100 millionth Filipino
presents opportunity for all partners and stakeholders to make the right
investments in people now, so we can prepare the groundwork for thriving,
sustainable cities, productive labor forces that fuel equitable growth, youth
that contribute to the well-being of economies and societies and a generation
of older people who are healthy and actively engaged in the social and economic
affairs of their communities.”

The Communications Secretary emphasized a point
Beck mentioned: “to make the right investments in people.”

The “100 millionth baby," according to
early reports is Jennalyn or Chonalyn Sentino, a 2.8 kilogram baby born 12:35
am on Sunday at the Dr. Jose Fabilla Hospital in Manila. The parents are
Clemente Sentino, 45, a van driver and, Dailin Cabigayan, 27, of Sampaloc,
Manila. PND (ag)